Besides Kate Mulvany’s dynamic performance as Rose in The Seed, she is also the playwright of this important Australian story. She was awarded $10,000 for its development after winning the prestigious Philip Parson’s Young Playwright Award in 2004 and it also won Best Independent Production at the 2007 Sydney Theatre Awards.
Now upstairs at Belvoir, the character of Rose tells of first-hand experiences of war's repurcussions and the post-traumatic stress experienced by her father.
This tragic story of three generations is infused with a raw sense of humour together with a tough, Australian exterior. The honesty and love between father (played by Danny Adcock) and daughter are established and strengthened through Rose's childhood anecdote presented as an aside.
Through the character of Brian, played endearingly by Martin Vaughan, the poisonous IRA-sympathetic grandfather presents a polar opposite to his son Danny’s (Rose’s father). Brian is a long-term compulsive liar while Danny is a hard yet sensitive and genuine man. Danny’s break from his father, both emotionally and geographically, echoes a broader social ideal to break with the past and recognising historical mistakes in order to not repeat them in the future.
Kate Mulvany admits to being angry at the Australian government for allowing history to repeat itself and is concerned for Australian soldiers and their families’ welfare.
Kate continues this sentiment in her second play about war and families called The Danger Age, which is showing in Brisbane at La Boite Theatre from 28 February to 15 March.
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